Long Beach Airport looking to hire more than 110 workers

LONG BEACH — More than 100 food and retail service jobs are up for grabs at the Long Beach Airport, thanks to the airport's modernization efforts, the city of Long Beach announced Thursday.

The airport's concessionaire will host a job fair Oct. 15-20 at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel to help fill the 110 or so permanent jobs that could start as early as November.

The announcement comes at a time when Long Beach and other cities in the region are facing double-digit unemployment rates. California's jobless rate for August is at 10.6 percent, according to the Employment Development Department's latest numbers.

"We are so pleased to have the opportunity to benefit the community by connecting people to much needed local jobs," Director Mario Rodriguez said in a written statement. "We will continue to make your Long Beach Airport more valuable to the community by building its economic impact as well as improving the quality of the travel experience. Furthermore, this job fair should attract local candidates from the City of Long Beach who will make the LGB experience even better."

For the past few years, the Long Beach Airport has been working on a $140 million modernization project, which will include a new terminal and parking garage and upgrades to the aircraft ramps and facades.

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The work is more than halfway done on the passenger concourse, which will feature two terminal buildings, and 4,200 square feet of outdoor seating with patios, fire pits, cabanas, suspended lights and space for outdoor performances.

The new concourse will also include more than 10,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space managed by The Paradies Shops, which is bringing in local vendors such as Polly's Coffee, Sweet Jill's Bakery, 4 th Street Vine, George's Greek Cafe and second locations for Long Beach Clothing Co., which will be called 562 Experience, and McKenna's on the Bay, whose second restaurant will be named McKenna's on the Fly.

The new concourse is expected open in 2013, though Rodriguez has said that the project is ahead of schedule and could open earlier.

That means more jobs, city officials said.

"These jobs will help local businesses grow, and help support the Airport's role as a major economic engine for Long Beach and the region," Mayor Bob Foster said in a written statement.

The job fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15-20 at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive. On-the-spot interviews may be conducted, so applicants should dress professionally and take their resumes.